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Ian Kennedy Makes Return To Yankees Roster

LOS ANGELES -- The New York Yankees recalled right-hander Ian Kennedy to its 40-man roster, making his return after missing four months of the season following surgery to repair an aneurysm in his right arm. Kennedy is being looked at for a long reliever role by manager Joe Girardi.

Doctors discovered the aneurysm during spring training, but after a lengthy rehab period, Kennedy was able to return to the mound. He made the surprise start a week ago in the opening game of the Florida State League Championship Series for the Tampa Yankees. He tossed two scoreless innings in his first game action since the surgery, allowing one hit in the Yankees' 5-2 victory.

'[Saturday's start] kind of came up last-minute,' said Kennedy, who was slated to throw in the Yankees' instructional league before he was informed of the new plan Thursday morning. 'There weren't many guys to throw to building up to mini-camp [because] they sent a lot of guys home before the two-week break.'

Kennedy was a first-round selection (21st overall) by the New York Yankees in the 2006 major league baseball draft. For his three-year career, Kennedy went 24-12 with a 3.09 ERA. In 311 1/3 innings, he allowed 271 hits, 107 earned runs, 105 walks and 380 strikeouts. He finished third all-time with 380 strikeouts behind Rik Currier (449) and Seth Etherton (420) and second all-time for strikeouts per nine innings (10.99) behind Mark Prior (11.52).